As I walked across the stage and shook my dean’s hand, I realized that “real life” was about to happen.
I knew that my main priorities would no longer relate to academics, but to what I would be doing with my life after graduation.
Even before graduation, I was putting in tons of applications to companies and would receive interviews. However, I would also receive a lot of rejections. The job market is very competitive, so I never expected a position to just land in my lap.
I studied journalism in college and it’s ultimately the field I want to build a career in. However, I also thought about practicality and decided to apply for a few jobs with companies that really didn’t correlate to my degree.
Surprisingly, one of those non-journalism companies called to schedule an interview. I accepted the interview request and was offered my first position, a month and a half after graduating. I was super excited for someone to actually think I was good enough to work for them, especially a major company with a presence on six continents.
The details of the job were great for a single 22-year-old woman. I would be making a nice amount of money, be able to live in a big city, have great benefits, stock in the company and the list goes on. It was a deal that most people would readily accept, but I made the decision to decline the offer because it just wasn’t for me.
Bishop:”Remember to never settle because anything worth having is worth the extra effort.” (Photo: iStockphoto/ Thinkstock)
While the job’s perks and pay were impressive, there would have been no passion for my job. It was great to be given an offer so soon after college, but it would have been terrible to accept a job that I didn’t care about.
I know most people go through their careers working at jobs they aren’t passionate about, but I couldn’t see myself being one of those people. I knew the decision would impact me for at least the next few years and I didn’t want to waste valuable time with a company that wouldn’t help me achieve the goals I set out for myself.
When I emailed the recruiter with the company about my decision to reject the position, it was painful because I didn’t really know my next move. I know the job market isn’t just overflowing with opportunities and I was unsure if I would receive any good news after declining. However, I knew I had two choices I could make: wallow in self-pity because I turned down one of the only offers that had been presented to me or keep applying for positions that would propel me into the direction I wanted to go.
I chose the latter. I followed my passion and it worked out.
I was offered an opportunity to become a fellow with a nonprofit for six months, doing meaningful work that correlates to my future career goals and my previous training.
While it isn’t full-time and doesn’t have fancy perks attached, it is something that closely relates to what I hope to do in the future and will equip me with new skills that will really strengthen my work in visual communication. This experience taught me to be patient, to wait for the opportunity that aligns with the destined path I am set to take.
It’s really important to wait for the right opportunity and it’s something I would advise any new graduate to do. You may be presented with an opportunity that is seemingly great, but it’s important to assess whether you’re really dedicated to this role you’re about to take on.
If the passion isn’t there, it’s not for you.
It’s easy to feel like you need to take the first full-time job that someone offers because you’re tired of working part-time and living at home, but those sacrifices will mean so much more later down the road. You have to realize that the best things never come easy and you’re going to have to work to reach your goals. It’s tough, it’s time-consuming, but it’s worth it.
Remember to never settle because anything worth having is worth the extra effort.
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